Has the Christian Church Become Irrelevant?
Two members of 2×2 recently attended a speech by the Rev. Al Sharpton, community, political and civil rights activist. Sharpton commented that though he is often asked to speak at celebrity funerals he usually refuses. He said he doesn’t want to eulogize another “irrelevant life.”
“If you want me to speak at your funeral give me something to work with,” he implored.
His words were harsh and the crowd was shocked. Sharpton deftly turned shock to inspiration and people were soon on their feet applauding. His intention was to motivate. His message: It isn’t good enough to sit and enjoy the blessings of difficult battles won by our foreparents. We must continue to fight for justice. That fight requires personal sacrifice.
Many Christian congregations today are threatened by similar irrelevance. People come to worship. People come for fellowship. People come to hear the Word. Some token projects might be undertaken—dollars paid for someone else to do the work or take the risks. When it comes to making personal or collective sacrifice for a difficult but meaningful cause, the line that forms is very, very short.
The Church, despite the power of its message, is often an irrelevant presence in our society. We sit back and enjoy the protected status of the Bill of Rights and do nothing with it. In many cases, a committee might be formed to draft a Social Statement that is adopted at a biannual assembly—and then mothballed.
Throughout the year, we honor a host of saints, many of whom are little more than names to us. Lutherans believe that we are all saints and sinners. The value of examining the lives of a few notables is to remind us that faith requires commitment and sacrifice. Yet the lessons are rarely learned.
Daniel Ellsburg, who leaked the revealing and controversial Pentagon Papers, made a profound statement. His actions defied the law. They also exposed wrong and hastened the end of the War in Vietnam.
Ellsburg was on his way to or from a court hearing. A reporter stuck a microphone in his face and asked the question, “Mr. Ellsburg, are you willing to go to prison for this?” Ellsburg’s ready response was, “Wouldn’t you go to prison to help end this war?”
Ellsburg was named by his opponents in power at the time, “The Most Dangerous Man in America.”
Which of our congregations can claim a similar honor?
Is there any injustice so wrong that we are willing to go to prison to make things right?
Are we prepared to take risks to benefit the downtrodden?
Are we prepared to take action when the injustice is within our own Church?
Is our church irrelevant?